Moon Sono Sx: Recreating Moog Classics with Elektrostudio
Immerse yourself in the world of vintage analog sound with Moon Sono Sx, a software synthesizer from Elektrostudio that carefully emulates the legendary Moog Sonix Six. This plug-in brings the unique character and warmth of one of the classic instruments known for its simplicity and rich timbral possibilities to your DAW. If you’re looking for an authentic sound from decades past for your tracks, Moon Sono Sx is worth your attention.
Voice Architecture and Operation Modes
Moon Sono Sx is a duophonic synthesizer that allows you to play two notes simultaneously. However, its flexible architecture offers several modes of operation that expand its applications:
- Duophonic: Simultaneous playback of two notes. One oscillator is assigned to the highest note and the other to the lowest, providing an interesting polyphonic behavior.
- Monophonic: Both oscillators work in sync for the same note, creating a tight and powerful monophonic sound.
- Monophonic with drone: One oscillator follows the pitch change of the note while the other remains at a fixed pitch, creating a drone effect.
These modes make the Moon Sono Sx a versatile tool for creating bass lines, solos, or ambient textures.
Sound generation: Oscillators and Noise
At the heart of the Moon Sono Sx are two oscillators (VCOs), each offering a selection of classic waveforms that form the basis for sound generation:
- Sawtooth
- Triangle
- Square
- Pulse
Additionally, the plugin is equipped with a noise generator with two types: pink and white. Noise can be mixed into the signal to add attack, airiness, or create noise effects.
Tone shaping: Filter and VCA
Just like the original instrument, the Moon Sono Sx has a classic Low-Pass VCF. This filter is responsible for Moog’s signature analog sound, allowing you to cut off high frequencies and add resonance to create distinctive tones. After filtering, the signal is passed through a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) that controls the volume of the sound.
Modulation capabilities
Moon Sono Sx features a unique modulation system that includes two multi-mode low-frequency oscillators (LFOs) and simple contour generators.
Dual LFOs:
The Moon Sono Sx’s dual LFO design is quite unusual and offers flexible modulation control. You can mix the sources of both LFOs using a dedicated mix control. In addition, the presence of voltage control for each LFO allows for additional control of their speed, which is rarely found in portable synthesizers. Each LFO can generate the following waveforms:
- Sawtooth
- Reverse Saw
- Triangle
- Square
The pitch of each oscillator can be controlled by both the dual LFOs and the envelope generator, and one oscillator can modulate another, opening up a wide range of possibilities for creating complex moving tones.
Contour Generators:
The Moon Sono Sx’s Contour Generators are simple in design compared to other synthesizers. They control the dynamics of the sound (attack and decay). Decay time is set with a simple switch that offers either a long or short decay time. Although simple, they effectively fulfill their function by shaping the characteristic attack and decay of the sound.
Conclusion.
Moon Sono Sx by Elektrostudio is an excellent emulator of the classic Moog Sonix Six, offering authentic vintage sound and unique modulation capabilities in the format of a convenient VST plug-in for Windows (Win32). Its duophonic and monophonic modes, rich selection of oscillator waveforms, classic low-pass filter, and innovative dual LFO system make it a valuable tool for any musician or producer looking to add the warmth and character of 70s analog synths to their music.
